As we head into 2025, link-building remains an important area of marketing in which businesses must invest time and effort.
Insights from the 2024 Google search leak underpin the need for link diversity and relevance. The shift in focus means quality matters more than sheer quantity. As such, links from reputable sites that fail to generate clicks may not hold as much value as you expect.
With user behavior becoming instrumental in link-building campaigns, understanding how to attract clicks is key for your success in the coming year.
It may be time for you to rethink your strategy for building backlinks that drive actual engagement.
This blog will explore effective link-building techniques that align with these trends, along with expert insights.
| 1. Write Guest Posts On Reputable 2. Perform Broken Link-Building 3. Create Resource Pages 4. Try the Skyscraper Technique 5. Promote Your Content 6. Leverage Local Sponsorships 7. Create Interactive Content 8. Share Original Research Findings 9. Participate in Interviews or Discussions 10. Develop Long-Form Content 11. Be Involved With Online Communities |
Top SEO Link-Building Techniques To Get High-Quality Backlinks
Link-building for search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for promoting your website’s authority and improving its rankings on search engines like Google. By acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable sources through strategies like digital PR, you signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
Here are 11 backlink strategies to guide you:
1. Write Guest Posts on Reputable and Relevant Sites
Guest posts are articles you write for other websites to share your expertise and insights while earning valuable backlinks. They work for SEO link-building by allowing you to include a link to your site, which not only drives traffic but also enhances your credibility in the eyes of search engines.
When crafting guest posts, focus on reputable and relevant sites that resonate with your audience. Tailor your content to fit their style and provide genuine value.
Example of a reputable website / Harvard Business Review (HBR)
Harvard Business Review accepts guest posts for a wide range of business topics, from leadership to work-life balance.
One thing to avoid is overly promotional language. Instead, aim for authenticity. You want to build trust, not just links.
2. Perform Broken Link-Building
Broken link-building is about finding links on other websites that lead to unavailable pages — essentially dead ends for readers. By reaching out to site owners with a suggestion to replace those broken links with content from your site, you help improve their webpage user experience while earning a quality backlink.
Start by finding relevant sites with broken links in your niche. If you don’t have suitable content, consider creating something specific to fit.
With broken links, you have an edge because no one wants dead links on their page. Your job is to convince them your content is the perfect replacement.
“What makes this strategy very effective is its immediate benefit to the website owner,” said Ron Evan Del Rosario, Thrive Internet Marketing Agency’s link-building manager.
“Broken links diminish the user experience and can adversely reflect on the website’s credibility. By addressing this, we’re offering a direct answer to their problem, replacing a non-working link with our high-quality, updated content – while earning or building backlinks at the same time.”
3. Create Resource Pages
Resource pages (also called content hubs or pillar pages) are curated collections of valuable links, guides or tools around a specific topic, like a “Beginner’s Guide to SEO Link-Building.”
These pages serve as one-stop directories, making it easy for users to find trusted resources. To create a resource page that naturally attracts backlinks, focus on topics that genuinely interest your target audience, organizing content that solves real problems or answers common questions.
Example of Resource Page / Mayo Clinic
Ensure the layout is clean, easy to navigate and regularly updated to stay relevant. Remember not to overcrowd your page with low-quality links — each piece of content should add real value and reflect your expertise.
“In 2025, relevant and helpful content will remain key to effective link-building. It’s very obvious when an article is curated for conversion or to promote a service or product,” Del Rosario said.
“For example, try linking to the resources page of an academic institution. Many university and college websites are constantly updating resource pages that link to articles that could help their faculty and students. Let’s say you have an article tackling mental health – you need to find resource pages first and then find those search strings in Google.
You will then determine if your article is well-suited for that page. After finding out all the necessary information, email the person responsible for the resource page and, hopefully, they will accept it and link it to your content! We have had many backlinks from academic websites in the past, which have very helpful and valuable content.”
4. Try the Skyscraper Technique
In link-building for SEO, the skyscraper technique involves finding popular content in your niche and creating something even more valuable to earn backlinks.
Start by researching high-performing content, then think about what’s missing or could be improved. Remember, the goal isn’t to simply copy or rephrase. It’s about building and offering something significantly better that genuinely adds value, enticing other sites to link back to your standout resource.
For instance, if you discover a widely shared guide on link-building. Using the skyscraper method, you’d aim to create a more comprehensive or updated version, perhaps adding new insights, visuals or interactive elements.
5. Promote Your Content
Content promotion is key to building backlinks that increase visibility and attract backlinks from interested readers or industry experts.
When you share your content through social media, email newsletters or collaborations, you’re actively reaching people who may want to link back to your valuable insights.
Avoid mindlessly promoting every content you put out. Focus on promoting content that’s already gaining traction through organic traffic, shares or comments. Since they are more likely to appeal to a larger audience, you have a better chance of building natural backlinks.
Example of content promotion on social media / Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
In the example above, we shared a blog we wrote on Black Friday marketing. The post had a shortened link to the full article. We also included graphic cards that highlight key takeaways, making it easy to grab the most important tips at a glance.
📗 Related read: A Fundamental Guide to Content Distribution
6. Leverage Local Sponsorships
Local sponsorships involve supporting events, charities, or organizations in your community, and they can be a powerful link-building tool.
By sponsoring, you often get mentioned on their website, blog or even in the local press — each a valuable backlink opportunity. For the best results, align with brands or organizations that share your vision or mission so the partnership is meaningful for both parties.
Consistency not only strengthens your brand image but also attracts a like-minded audience. A well-chosen sponsorship can lead to lasting community connections and authentic, high-quality links.
7. Create Interactive Content
Interactive content like quizzes, calculators or tools invites engagement and can naturally attract backlinks as people share resources they find useful.
Example of interactive content “Recipe Finder” / Tesco
For another example, a real estate business might have a mortgage calculator or a wellness site could offer a “Find Your Ideal Workout” quiz.
To create effective interactive content, ensure it’s relevant to your audience’s needs, easy to use and visually appealing. Avoid creating something complex or overly niche, as this could limit its reach and usability. Keep it simple, useful and share-worthy for the best results.
8. Share Original Research Findings
Original research, case studies or success stories offer unique insights that naturally attract backlinks from others in your industry.
The research doesn’t need to be deep or complex. Even simple, real results (like customer survey feedback or insights from a recent campaign) can be highly shareable.
For example, a local business could analyze seasonal shopping trends based on their sales data. When publishing, focus on clear visuals and concise takeaways that make the data easy to understand and share. To maximize impact, consider reaching out to brands or personalities interested in exclusive findings or expert commentary.
“Generally speaking, Google favors data-driven content. If you look at the first page of any search term, most blogs are based on research and data they have collected themselves,” Del Rosario said.
“My best tips are to limit using AI tools for this type of content, do further research, ensure that it is well-structured and include high-quality information and infographics exclusive to your website. In short, create something special!”
9. Participate in Interviews or Discussions
Engaging in interviews or expert discussions opens up valuable link-building opportunities, as hosts often include backlinks to your site when featuring you.
Just as you might leverage expert insights to enhance your content, you can be the authority others look to for their own. Seek out industry podcasts, webinars or blogs looking for guest insights and tailor your responses to their audience’s interests.
Then, come prepared with thoughtful, unique insights that demonstrate your expertise. The more value you add, the more likely they’ll want to link back to you for future content collaborations.
“Podcast link-building hits the mark in both SEO and brand authority. Strategic backlink placement from a respected podcast not only improves your visibility on search engines but also strengthens your reputation as an authority in your field,” Del Rosario said.
“If you’re just starting with podcast link-building, my top recommendation is to focus on genuine connections. Reach out to podcast hosts whose content aligns with your niche and audience.
Offer value first — whether it’s through insightful guest appearances, collaborations or even cross-promotion opportunities. The goal is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship that organically integrates your brand into the narrative.”
10. Develop Long-Form Content
In-depth guides, 10x blogs and comprehensive articles have a strong link-building advantage because they provide valuable, well-rounded information that others naturally want to reference.
Because it dives deep into multiple aspects of a topic, long-form content is often added to resource or pillar pages. Focus on making it engaging and genuinely informative, with clear sections and visuals to enhance readability.
You also want to ensure that such content is regularly updated with fresh insights or data, so it remains relevant and shareable.
“In-depth, long-form content (think 2,000 words or more) tends to rank better in search engines. Google’s algorithms are designed to prioritize content that provides comprehensive information on a given topic. But remember: long-form content doesn’t mean wordy,” Del Rosario said.
“For instance, if you’re writing a guide on home gardening, instead of giving just five tips, provide 20 or even 30. Diversify it with broad tips, specific advice, beginner mistakes to avoid and expert hacks. The more comprehensive your content, the better it is for SEO.
Adding relevant keywords, using proper title tags, optimizing your meta descriptions and ensuring your article is easily readable with clear headings and bullet points can also improve your SEO ranking. Lastly, don’t forget to optimize your images and include alt text for each one.”
11. Be Involved With Online Communities
Engaging with online communities like Reddit can be a powerful way to build backlinks and enhance your brand’s visibility.
One way to do this is by having brand ambassadors represent you. They can add genuine value to discussions while subtly referencing your site. As they interact with community members, those individuals may not only click the links but also share or reference your content.
You want to establish clear guidelines for how your ambassadors should engage online, ensuring their interactions remain authentic and aligned with your brand.
What About Using HARO for Backlinks in 2025?
“Help a Reporter Out (HARO), now known as Connectively, will close by December 9th, 2024,” Del Rosario said.
“But other link-building tools or platforms (similar to HARO) are still in operation, such as Featured, Help a B2B Writer, Source Bottle and Source of Sources (SoS).”
HARO has also become pretty crowded over time, even with spammers. Given this reality, it’s a smart move to mix things up and explore other link-building strategies.
Even though you can no longer use HARO for backlinks, you can read up our guide to get helpful pitching and link-building techniques.
Top 7 Link-Building Tools To Elevate Your Strategy
When it comes to streamlining your strategy, link-building tools are essential as they enable you to identify high-quality backlink opportunities with precision. By automating tasks like competitor analysis, broken link detection and outreach management, these tools save time while maximizing results.
Here are the top seven link-building tools that you can explore:
1. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a powerhouse for link analysis, helping you find scope for backlinks, analyze competitors’ link profiles and track your own progress. With its Site Explorer, you can uncover high-quality prospects and strengthen your link-building game.
2. Semrush
Semrush’s Link Building Tool combines data-driven insights with outreach capabilities. It allows you to identify potential backlinks, prioritize opportunities and reach out directly within the platform.
3. Moz Link Explorer
Moz Link Explorer provides an in-depth view of your backlink profile and domain authority. It helps you identify broken or low-quality links while suggesting new high-authority link opportunities.
4. BuzzStream
BuzzStream is a fantastic outreach tool designed to simplify communication with potential link partners. From tracking conversations to managing campaigns, it ensures your link-building efforts are efficient and organized.
5. Hunter.io
For outreach success, Hunter.io makes finding email addresses easy. With its bulk search feature, you can gather contact information for potential link partners and kickstart your campaigns seamlessly.
6. Majestic
Majestic offers specialized metrics like Trust Flow and Citation Flow, which help you assess the quality and relevance of potential link sources. It’s great for mapping out the strength of your backlink strategy.
7. Pitchbox
Pitchbox takes your outreach to the next level with automated workflows and personalized templates. It’s ideal for managing large-scale link-building campaigns without losing the human touch.
Test these link-building tools to streamline your efforts and maximize results. Many offer free trials, so you can take full advantage of their features without commitment and see how they can improve your link-building strategy.
Link-Building for SEO: Let’s Help You Get More Highly Relevant Backlinks
In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about effective link-building, from actionable tips and essential tools to expert insights. With the right strategies in place, you can secure high-quality backlinks, promote your SEO performance and strengthen your online presence.
“Our team at Thrive Internet Marketing Agency taps and nurtures connections with website owners and journalists, which makes them more inclined to support and promote our clients’ content,” Del Rosario said.
“Whenever we have articles or content that resonates with these journalists or website owners, the more aligned these articles and links are with their site — the more natural our link-building efforts become.”
